![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Resized-Body-NY-Haunted-Hayride.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
NY Haunted Hayride via Yelp\/Ny H. <\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n A city with so many stories is bound to have some skeletons in its closet, and New York City certainly delivers. To discover NYC\u2019s most eerie haunts, brave a Boroughs of the Dead ghost tour of Greenwich Village and East Village. The tour begins at the haunted St. Mark\u2019s Church in the Bowery, leading you on a hair-raising route, while revealing the city\u2019s history and relationship with the paranormal.<\/p>\n Apparitions are nothing when you face the demented clowns and horrific monsters on the New York Haunted Hayride. Anything but a friendly pumpkin ride, this terrifying wagon makes your worst nightmares come alive as it winds around pitch-black bends infested with murderers, devils, and demons. Sure, it\u2019s all pretend\u2014but good luck tellin\u2019 yourself that as you white knuckle your best friend\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n Queen Mary via Yelp\/The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Long Beach is a prominent port city in SoCal, but few know the creepy story behind the Queen Mary. Docked at the port, the ship is said to be haunted by several ghosts, including children that died in the ship\u2019s pool. To bring the scariness up a notch, the Queen Mary hosts Dark Harbor, in which the ship showcases your worst fears. Between the demonic circus and more than 200 monsters and revenants, the ship\u2019s real ghosts suddenly don\u2019t seem so bad.<\/p>\n When the sun goes down on sunny Long Beach, the undead start to rise at Rainbow Lagoon. Hundreds of rotting zombies are invading\u2014and you can join them in your own gruesome get-up. Stagger along in the zombie walk, stumble through the haunted maze, and join contests and workshops with fellow glassy-eyed ghouls at the infamous Long Beach Zombie Fest.<\/p>\n Whaley House via Yelp\/Ryan C. <\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Old Town San Diego Historic Park is home to some of the city\u2019s oldest buildings, and we all know what that means: ghosts. Old Town\u2019s Whaley House is considered one of the most haunted spots in not only the city, but the country, too. Some say the historical house is haunted by a convict who was hung on the property when it was a court house, while others believe it\u2019s the Whaley residents themselves who visit the home more than 100 years later. Whoever it is, listen for the sound of heavy footsteps and look out for Victorian-dressed spirits wandering the halls.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t be fooled; this Southern California city can put on quite the show, too. Downtown San Diego hosts the Haunted Hotel, where you\u2019ll test your limits in the Hellevator and scream your way through zombie-ridden hallways. You\u2019ll be shaking in your boots as you navigate your way through hellish scenes beyond your imagination, from the Clown Subway to the Twisted Torture Temple.<\/p>\n Hotel San Carlos via Flickr\/sean horan <\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n More than 10 Phoenix locations are said to be haunted, including the San Carlos Hotel and Orpheum Theater, so this Arizona town has earned its right to host some epically eerie events. Take the 13th Floor Haunted House, a terror-inducing nightmare filled with two haunted attractions, The Deadhouse and The Frenzy, all in one harrowing night. After all the screaming you\u2019ll do, we\u2019ll be surprised if you still have a voice once you make it out.<\/p>\n Crops of corn aren\u2019t the only things you\u2019ll find in the fields of Fear Farm. This bone-trembling farm features attractions that will have you numb with terror, from the flesh-craving monster in the Slaughterhouse to the psychotic clowns in the Mouth of Madness. Only the bravest souls will step up for the hayride, which ventures down a dark path teeming with the undead.<\/p>\n Skirvin Hotel via Yelp\/Skirvin Hotel<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Every city has its share of legends, but the story of the Skirvin Hotel in Oklahoma City is too creepy to ignore. According to the story, in the 1930s, a hotel maid, with her child in her arms, jumped to her death after being locked in a room due to an affair she had with the hotel owner. Even after renovations and many years later, guests still complain of hearing children crying and female voices propositioning them in the night. We wouldn\u2019t count on getting much sleep when you stay at one of the most haunted American hotels.<\/p>\n If you make it through a night at the hotel, you might be conditioned for the monsters and beasts at Frontier City Frightfest. After night falls, this kid-friendly attraction takes a turn, as the 30-room haunted house ignites your deepest fears. Prepare to be traumatized as you sneak past the 3 Pigg Brothers Slaughterhouse and try to stomach the FreakShow Deluxe stage performances.<\/p>\n Cliff House Inn via Flickr\/Kari Sullivan<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve been to this town, you\u2019ve probably heard the story of Emma Crawford, who is said to haunt the town since her passing in 1891. The legend has inspired the town\u2019s annual Emma Crawford Coffin Races, in which teams dressed in costumes charge down the street with homemade coffins, complete with their own renditions of Emma Crawford inside. Cheer on your favorite coffin wielding team\u2014and don\u2019t be shocked if the real Emma Crawford makes an appearance.<\/p>\n Instead of waiting for the spirits to come to you, hunt them down yourself during one of the Paranormal Investigation walks at the Manitou Springs Heritage Center. Led by the Haunted Dimensions Team, you\u2019ll wander through the dark with investigation equipment and learn the technique of tapping into the spiritual realm. If you still haven’t had your fill of the afterlife, the Cliff House Inn is said harbor a few ghosts of its own. Book a room, and look out behind you!<\/p>\n Like any city getting into the Halloween spirit, Pontiac hosts a number of freaky haunted houses. But how many places can say their haunted house is actually\u2026 haunted? Enter the Realm of Darkness, a 45-room performance of seriously scary action\u2014and then there\u2019s the show that nobody controls. Paranormal investigators have confirmed supernatural activity in this mansion, and now you can enter a contest to stay overnight for the chance to win the grand prize\u2014if you make it until morning.<\/p>\n Even if it\u2019s strictly fictional horror, every hair on the back of your neck will tingle as you force yourself to walk through the bloody four-story haunted house at Erebus. Previously rated the Largest Walk-Through Haunted Attraction by the Guinness Book of World Records, this attraction is designed to make you squirm and scream. Good luck to you, my friend.<\/p>\n Haunted Overload via Yelp\/Eric L. <\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n A two-for-one package, these two nearby towns take the number eight spot for their ghastly attractions that some sickos like to call entertainment. First up, is Lee, the small rural farm town (isn\u2019t that the setting for nearly all scary stories?), which hosts Haunted Overload. Not suitable for the faint of heart, this haunted trail lures you into the forest to roam amongst the most frightening beasts that only come out at night.<\/p>\n Nearby Candia serves up its own thrills and chills at Haunted Acres. Its theme, Area 51, is enough to give us the shivers, but just wait until you step onto the course. The Maze from Hell and the Graveyard of the Damned are enough to keep you sleeping with the lights on. Think that\u2019s nothing? Brave the Haunted Acres in the pitch dark and you might be screaming a different tune.<\/p>\n Cedar Point via Yelp\/Elizabeth R. <\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n When your city sits on the shores of a lake with the word \u201ceerie\u201d in it, you can expect some spooky legends to swirl around. Get your blood pumping and your adrenaline spiking as you discover the stories about this lakeside spot at Lake Eerie Fearfest. It\u2019s no walk in the park, as you\u2019re invited to make it through five terror-filled haunted houses in the dead of night.<\/p>\n If one night of horror isn\u2019t enough, fewer than 4 miles away you\u2019ll be shocked at Cedar Point\u2019s grueling display. Halloweekends transform a fun-loving theme park into a death-defying experience. With mazes like the Eternity Infirmary and Zombie High School, combined with Blood on the Bayou and Cut Throat Cove scare zones, you\u2019ll wonder why you ever thought this attraction was a good idea.<\/p>\n Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights via Yelp\/Joe B.<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Los Angeles is known for its movie stars and star-worthy productions, so it\u2019s no shocker that this city puts on a legendary Halloween performance. Seven deadly mazes await you at Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights, where you\u2019re invited to try to make it out alive. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre maze introduces you to the hungry cannibal family, while the Krampus maze unleashes the devilish European version of the anti-Saint Nicholas, who takes care of the naughty children.<\/p>\n NYC\u2019s Hayride actually took a page out of LA\u2019s original version of the Haunted Hayride, which has been traumatizing Californians for eight years. This year, it\u2019s even eviler, as riders must leave the confines of the wagon to face their fears on foot. Hay riders are judged and sent down one of two paths as part of initiation into the Secret Society. Do you have what it takes?<\/p>\n Salem graveyard via Flickr\/Robert Linsdell <\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Salem has a fascinating, yet dark history\u2014the kind that you may not want to hear, but you can\u2019t stand not to listen to. Embark on the Bewitched After Dark tour to discover all the macabre and hauntings associated with this historic town. Covering everything from the witch trials and 1692 Hysteria to haunted locations and present day witchcraft, you\u2019ll leave feeling well educated with a good case of the spooks.<\/p>\n While you\u2019re in town, tap into your sixth sense and head out on the Salem Wax Museum\u2019s Candlelit Ghostly Walking Tour. You\u2019ll receive tips on ghost photography as you stroll through the most haunted areas, from Howard Street Cemetery to the Old Salem Prison. Who knows what kind of paranormal images might show up on your film the next day!<\/p>\n Another city with a colorful past, Chicago has its fair share of grim and unexplainable happenings. Discover some of the city\u2019s darkest secrets and mysteries on a Chicago Haunted River Tour. You\u2019ll send shivers down your spine as you float along the Chicago River and hear about the city\u2019s legends and supernatural events. Be prepared; you may never look at the city the same again.<\/p>\n After the sun sets, drive 50 minutes in the dark and arrive at the fictional Statesville Haunted Prison\u00ae and City of the Dead, where the prisoners have gone mad. The challenge lies in making it through the 23 maximum security cells that are crawling with more than 100 ghastly criminals. If you manage to escape the horror rooms, you\u2019ll still have to make it through the City of the Dead, where deceased prisoners were laid to rest\u2014but are no longer resting.<\/p>\n The best scary stories are those that have been around for centuries, and Bristol has a few of them up its sleeve, as the town dates back to 1781. Uncover more of Connecticut\u2019s legends with the Trail side Tales tour at Harry C. Barnes Memorial Nature Center. The trail guide will lead you along a lantern walk, meandering on dark paths, while telling local legends.<\/p>\n Step up to the challenge and see for yourself if you can make it through an entire mile filled with bloody antics, evil witches, and the grisliest goblins. Did we mention it was through the Haunted Graveyard? This excruciatingly scary attraction leads you through 14 themed houses over the span of 45 minutes, which may end up feeling like an eternity.<\/p>\n Where have you experienced the spookiest attractions?<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Peeking into the dark side at some of the scariest places<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":20951,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1789,1808,1782,1775,1777,1778,1780,1788,1792,1774,1843,1793,1776],"tags":[],"authors":[2238],"class_list":["post-20937","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adventure","category-california","category-destinations","category-fall","category-family","category-features","category-inspiration","category-interests","category-nature","category-occasions-and-seasons","category-solo","category-things-to-do","category-type-of-vacation","authors-chloe-mulliner","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n2. Long Beach, California<\/a><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Resized-Body-Queen-Mary.jpg\")
<\/p>\n3. San Diego, California<\/a><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Resized-Body-Whaley-House.jpg\")
<\/p>\n4. Phoenix, Arizona<\/a><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Resized-Body-Hotel-San-Carlos.jpg\")
<\/p>\n5. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma<\/a><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Resized-Body-Skirvin-Hotel.jpg\")
<\/p>\n6. Manitou Springs, Colorado<\/a><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Cliff-House-Inn.jpg\")
<\/p>\n7. Pontiac, Michigan<\/a><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Pontiac_resized.jpg\")
<\/p>\n8. Lee and Candia, New Hampshire<\/a><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Haunted-Overload_resized.jpg\")
<\/p>\n9. Sandusky, Ohio<\/a><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Cedar-Point_resized.jpg\")
<\/p>\n10. Los Angeles, California<\/a><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Universal-Studios_resized.jpg\")
<\/p>\n11. Salem, Massachusetts<\/a><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Salem_resized.jpg\")
<\/p>\n12. Chicago, Illinois<\/a><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Chicago-River_resized.jpg\")
<\/p>\n13. Bristol, Connecticut<\/a><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Bristol_resized.jpg\")
<\/p>\n